ME/CFS Australia (SA) Inc: Volunteer Project

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ME/CFS AUSTRALIA (SA) INC

Registered Charity 698

Mailing address:
GPO Box 383,
Adelaide,
South Australia 5001

Office:
266 Port Road,
Hindmarsh,
South Australia 5007
Ph: (08) 8346 3237
('834 MECFS')

Office Hours:
Wednesdays, 10am-3pm

Support Line:
(Mondays and Thursdays,
10am-3pm)
Ph: (08) 8346 3237

SA country callers:
Ph: 1300 128 339
(local call)

FIBROMYALGIA HELP:
Contact
Fibromyalgia SA
at the
Arthritis Foundation of SA
118 Richmond Road,
Marleston 5033
Ph: (08) 8379 5711

ME/CFS Australia (SA) Inc supports the needs of sufferers of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and related illnesses. We do this by providing services and information to members.

Donate online

Information and Support 2004 is an online appeal that aims to improve our Information and Support Line.

ME/CFS Australia (SA) Inc aims to keep members informed of the various research projects, diets, medications, therapies etc. All communication, both verbal and written, is merely to disseminate information and not to make recommendations or directives.

Unless otherwise stated, the views expressed on this Web site are not necessarily the official views of the Society or its Committee and are not simply an endorsement of products or services.

Volunteer Project

By Cathie Powell, Volunteer Project Coordinator

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Working together to change the health management for people with CFS.

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Different skills, different perspectives, but a shared vision.

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Chronic illness may hinder us but it does not stop us, we still have lots to give and share.

For many members, experience with managing CFS has given them unique skills, knowledge and expertise that, when shared, can help many others. But if you don’t tell us and register as a volunteer we will not know.

The Volunteer Project is about building a team, developing a system whereby different people can contribute to the Society at the level that they are able.

It’s about supporting and protecting each other so we can keep on keeping on. It’s about job sharing so that no one job depends upon one person. It’s about growth, satisfaction and enjoyment. Working in the area of our interests and skills. Developing or present skills and learning new ones.

It can be used as work experience and for demonstrating skills. Have you just finished a course and are looking for a job?

Our Society is growing. It can no longer depend on a few key people. We need a larger team. To keep our Society’s essential services running we need help. We are a volunteer organisation but our services can no longer depend on just two or three key people. We must provide services at an acceptable standard that are consistent and reliable.

We are part of the community services network in South Australia. We are now a recognised information and resource centre and receive calls from all over South Australia, the Northern Territory and from Interstate. The calls are from all kinds of people including sufferers, carers, friends and family, health professionals, service providers, government departments and researchers.

It’s exciting because all these calls provide us with opportunities to change the situation for people with CFS. It’s a challenge but I believe we can meet it. Listening around our Society we have people with knowledge, skills and expertise. For every question there is usually a member who has already explored or experienced that situation and has an answer. I keep hearing, “One day I want to share my story so that all I have been through is not wasted and can help someone else.”.. “I know more than the professionals about this disease.”.. “I would like an opportunity to help others,” or... “I would like to some part-time work but I need to get my skills up to date.” That’s what the Volunteer Project is all about.

We need your help

We need your help in many areas:

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to keep the office open from 10am to 4pm five days a week;

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in the day-to-day running of the Society;

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to keep the Information and Support Line open;

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to keep our information and resources up to date;

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to develop and maintain databases; and

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to write project applications.

The goal of the Information Project is to have a team of trained volunteers by March 2000.

We offer training, support, and an interesting, satisfying, enjoyable and safe working environment. We must outlaw martyrdom. We will seek to match your interests and skills. We will appreciate you, work with you to develop your skills and provide opportunities. We will seek to match your times and limitations.